Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) is pleased to announce the newest members to the Board of Directors, following the close of the election period on November 30. Two board members are new, and SPG retains an existing Director for another term.
New to the SPG Board are Winston Van Staveren of Creelman, and Terry Youzwa from Nipawin. SPG welcomes back Corey Loessin from Radisson, who was re-elected. These newly elected members will join SPG’s Board in January 2021.
Winston van Staveren farms with his family at Creelman, where they grow canola, wheat, durum, soybeans and lentils.
Winston earned his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan. After receiving his degree, he worked overseas in New Zealand on a mixed farm and returned home to Saskatchewan to farm full time.
He is on the board of directors for the Indian Head Agriculture Research Foundation (IHARF). For that organization, he is on the Crops and Marketing committee. He is active in his community and serves as a director for the Creelman Agricultural Society, and also is a director for the Fillmore Prairie Memories Museum and the Fillmore Catholic Church. He is also a volunteer crop reporter for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.
Winston is optimistic about the pulse industry in Saskatchewan and intends to be a strong voice for the interests of our hard-working farmers.
“On behalf of the Board I would like to congratulate Corey, Winston, and Terry. I look forward to the experience, expertise, and diverse perspectives they will bring to the board table from their growing regions,” said SPG Chair Brad Blackwell. “I would also like to thank all of the candidates for putting their names forward, it was encouraging to see the increased level of interest from growers this year with a strong list of candidates. Their passion and commitment to the growth of Saskatchewan’s pulse industry is greatly appreciated.”
There were 3,269 votes cast by 1,238 voters in this year’s election. Nearly all votes were received through the online voting platform. The final vote results were: Bruce Elke – 406; Norm Hall – 476; Corey Loessin – 856; Ryan Neubauer – 170; Winston Van Staveren – 704; Terry Youzwa – 657.
As per member feedback at the 2020 AGM, SPG has expanded board size to nine elected members, effective January 2021. The new director terms for Corey, Winston, and Terry will begin following SPG’s 2021 Annual General Meeting on January 12, 2021.
The afternoon of Jan. 12 will feature a pulse market outlook from 3-4 p.m. by Chuck Penner and Marlene Boersch. The virtual AGM will begin at 4 p.m. Registration is now open for the virtual AGMs. To register, visit saskcrops.com.
Accountable to and funded by growers, SPG’s strategic direction is guided by a nine member, grower-elected Board of Directors. SPG’s mission is to provide leadership for profitable growth for Saskatchewan pulses.
